Bike Tour Reviews page 97
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★★★★★ rande August 28, 2017
Prague to Venice - Fantastic Adventure
Bike and Boat with Bob and Jeanette along the Danube from Passau to Budapest to Passau
600 miles through the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy. Beautiful scenery, great food, excellent accommodations. One killer 7,500 ft. alpine pass, several off-road single track trails, numerous cobblestone streets, but mostly well maintained roads through jaw dropping mountain valleys. A must ride trip for serious bicycle tourists.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 7/15/17 - 8/5/17
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
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★★★★★ Tim and Kelly August 28, 2017
Bike & Boat is the Way to Go!
· · Venice to Mantua by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
We had a great time on the Mantua to Venice tour. Having to only unpack once was so convenient- no wasted time packing/repacking and checking into/out of hotels. The staff was top notch, from our guides Sylvia & Fabio, to boat crew. Friendly, accessible and fun to talk with. The food was delicious and plentiful- we even bought the cookbook that was written by one of our guides and the chef on the cruise. Biking was easy and very scenic, with just the right amount of time on the bike and time to explore. We're already planning our next tour with this company!
- What was the date of your tour?
- 8/19-8/26/17
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Kelly1989 August 27, 2017
The best way to explore!
· · Ionian Islands Multi-sport Family Cruise
The tour was better than we could ever have imagined. The crew and guides were professional, hospitable and made the tour even more fun.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 12 August
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Greece
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★★★★★ Jennifer August 27, 2017
Perfect in every way!
· · Venice to Mantua by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
We enjoyed this tour immensely and would recommend it to anyone wanting a small, personable, tailored tour of some of the most amazingly old and historical parts of Nothern Italy. The bike riding was the best way to see some "out of the crowd" hidden gems, covering much more than able to on foot. The bikes were fantastic, well maintained and easy to ride and adjust if needed. The cabins were comfortable, well setout with ensuite and air conditioning. Ample supplies of food and breakfasts, and deliciously cooked dinners at night made the evenings very relaxing. Drinks aboard were very reasonably priced and tea and coffee never ending. Tour Leaders and all boat crew were totaly amazing! A thoroughly enjoyable holiday!
- What was the date of your tour?
- 19/08/2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Bicycling in Philly August 26, 2017
· Salzburg to Vienna, Lakes Option
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 13-19
- How many tours have you completed?
- Greater than 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson August 27, 2017
We're sorry you didn't enjoy your Salzburg to Vienna bicycle tour. It's actually one of my personal favorites! Could you please send along to me any further information on what was not to your satisfaction? We'd love to advise the local tour company, so they can make improvements. Thank you!
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★★★★★ Becca August 26, 2017
Dolomite Area Bike
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
Varied rides with extensions for adding more sites and miles. Great local company. Bikes are best for easy bike rides. Adding all extensions to day ride made it better for us. FYI, there are two names for everything here. One in German, one Italian. The culture and food is mostly German. This trip begins in Niederdorf/Villabassa, not Toblach/Dobbiaco. That was confusing and biketours.com should update that.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 20
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ AnneD August 24, 2017
Fantastic way to see Germany!
· Cycling the Altmühl Valley - Round trip from Regensburg
Really enjoyed this self-guided experience. The bikes were comfortable, appropriate accessories were included, the luggage pick up and delivery was reliable. The selected accommodations were in the main part of the town.....clean, comfortable, with hearty breakfasts...two spots even had a sauna! Opportunity to enjoy local sights, food and culture, frequently woke to the sound of church bells. Maps and info provided...would recommend bringing a GPS and taking time in advance to understand German road signs ...occasional difficulty finding street names or missing turn-offs...which happens and is a part of the adventure.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- Trips many..but 1st official tour!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
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★★★★★ melwood August 24, 2017
Great trip due to the scenery, companions, and beer.
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
Overall this was a great trip. I have a few complaints, though.
1. The bikes. We asked for hybrids and what we got were heavy cruisers (24 # or so) with 21 speeds and barco lounger seats. The seats were comfortable for about 20 miles the first day, then they were downright painful. Next time I'll bring my own saddle if I have to use these bikes. Also two of my companions are well under 5 ft tall and the bikes were big for them and hard to handle.
2. The distance. We told the company we wanted to do about 40 miles a day but it averaged 56 miles per day (with hot weather and heavy bikes and a headwind the entire way) for 4 days. We thought were spending 5 nights in hotels but it was only 4. I could have sworn I saw 5 days on the itinerary they sent before we left, but I guess i mis-read it.
3. The directions book. It was a little confusing arriving at the hotel and leaving it daily, as we had to pick out our directions from everyone one else's who were doing a similar ride but staying at different hotels or different villages.
A better approach would have been individual instructions. Especially when we arrived in Vienna. Once we were in town it was still an hour to our hotel through the city at high traffic. I could have kissed the hotel desk personnel when I finally arrived.
4. Accommodations: 3 out of 4 were great. The breakfast meals were great and plentiful. I would have liked to stay closer in the whatever village or town we were in (for those hotels that weren't) as it'd been nice to have a choice for dinner other than the hotel. Once we arrived, were too tired to bike any further, and we didn't want to spend $ on a taxi. Just a
suggestion.- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 12-16th, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson August 25, 2017
I'm very sorry you had issues with the rental bikes and distances. The rental bikes are typical for touring along the Danube and on most of the flatter tours in much of Europe, and I personally like them. Definitely a matter of taste! If you're accustomed to road bikes, it often does take some adjusting. We will address the size issues with the local operator. Relative to distances, the route is about 210 miles long. So, if you have four riding days (six or seven days are typical), it will come out to be more than 50 miles per day. At your welcome briefing, you should have been informed about options for shortening riding distance by taking boats or trains, which take bikes. I'm sorry if that did not happen and that, apparently, our staff did not do the math and inform you of the longer distances before you booked.
We will pass your feedback along to the local tour company. Thanks so much for taking the time to provide so much detail! This is always helpful as we work with the tour companies to improve their tours and services and with our own staff to improve our communication to and support of clients.
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★★★★★ Aussie jeff August 24, 2017
This trip showcases the whole region not just the Danube.
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany
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★★★★★ cwr01 August 23, 2017
Great Bike and Barge
· · Bruges – Antwerp – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat
The guide and barge crew were wonderful and very helpful and understanding. It was a great way to see the Low Countries. I would suggest they upgrade the quality of the bicycles.
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★★★★★ EDWH August 23, 2017
Fun, but a few qualifications
· · National Parks of Dalmatia by Bike/E-bike and Boat
We had a great time but the parks were not quite as interesting or attractive as we had hoped. And some of the bike rides (the 3rd day in particular) difficult hills with nothing at all to see. Description said a ride around Vraner Lake and we never even saw it. That was coupled with the hottest week in the summer as temps were near or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Guides showed little flexibility in schedules or changes to accommodate the heat.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 29, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 25 or 30
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- Croatia
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★★★★★ Bruce K August 23, 2017
Terrific all the way around
· Medieval Villages of Catalonia
Wonderful trip. The routes were well-planned and suitable for a group of six with differing levels of biking experience. The scenery was spectacular. With the garmins, following the route paths was easy. Being able to stay two nights at each hotel (all first-class) was great, giving us a feel for the places we were staying in, and the loop routes on alternating days meant we experienced something new each day, too. Lucy, the Creative Catalonia founder, was enormously helpful and easy to work with. I can't say enough about how great a time we had. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 5/29/2017 - 6/5/2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Spain
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★★★★★ KanDo August 23, 2017
Wonderful bike and barge
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal
A wonderful way to see Belgium and Holland. The ship is beautiful and the staff was amaing. Highly recommend this tour. I would suggest adding time before and after in Brugge and Amsterdam.
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★★★★★ Icebiker1 August 22, 2017
· Wine & Bike in Hungary’s Balaton Uplands
- What was the date of your tour?
- 1. week of July
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Hungary
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★★★★★ Genevieve August 21, 2017
A great experience
· Salzburg to Vienna, Lakes Option
A great way to visit Austria! But the mountain part is quite demanding. More of a Grade 3 than a Grade 2. For the mountain part, navigation was difficult because lack of information on distance.
Lodging and breakfasts were great, except for the inn in Bad Kreuzen - far from everything and bad Internet connection. Not adequate for international travellers.- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria
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★★★★★ Pedro August 20, 2017
a great 6 days!
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
- What was the date of your tour?
- 13 aug-19aug
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Mamusia August 20, 2017
Wine, Sun and Castles
· Mosel Bike Path: Dreamy Mosel Valley from Trier to Koblenz
Great trip! Wonderful experience! Enjoyed biking through wine country and stopping at castles along the way!
- What was the date of your tour?
- 7/18-7/23 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany